Heavy rush at Sabarimala

SABARIMALA. OCTOBER 17TH

Sabarimala was teeming with devotees on Monday afternoon when the Ayyappa shrine was opened for the five-day monthly rituals in the Malayalam month of Thulam that begins on Tuesday. Hundreds of pilgrims trekked the steep Neelimala and Appachimedu hills to reach the Sabarimala Sannidhanam, despite heavy downpour.

Many pilgrims are camping at the Sannidhanam for the ‘nirmalya darshan’ of the deity on Thulam 1 and to witness the draw of lots to select the next Melsanthi (head priest) at the Ayyappa temple as well as the adjoining Malikappuram Devi temple on Tuesday morning